I am a mother of children in Queensland's child protection system. Over the past few years, I have faced significant decisions being made about my children without being informed in a timely manner, with questions left unanswered, and a disturbing lack of transparency about decisions that profoundly affect their lives. As a parent, I firmly believe I should be kept informed and given clear written reasons for decisions impacting my children whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

This issue does not only affect me. Many families across Queensland share similar concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and decision-making within Queensland's child protection system.

According to recent reviews and reports, including one from the Queensland Family and Child Commission, there are ongoing systemic issues related to the clarity and communication of decisions made within the child protection framework. Parents are often left in the dark about processes and outcomes that directly impact their children's welfare. This lack of transparency can lead to a breakdown of trust and cooperation between families and the child protection system, ultimately affecting the well-being of the children involved.

We urge the Legislative Assembly of Queensland to prioritize reforms that ensure parents and guardians are promptly provided with complete, written explanations of decisions regarding their children, enhancing communication clarity and establishing a structured dialogue process between parents and child protection authorities.

Implementing these changes could involve the establishment of an independent oversight body to review decision-making processes and a requirement for child protection agencies to develop guidelines for transparent communication.

These measures are crucial to restore trust and cooperation, ensuring that all children in the system are given the best possible care while respecting the rights of families to be informed and involved in significant decisions.

We ask the Legislative Assembly to take action now by signing this petition to support the call for a child protection system built on transparency, accountability, and trust for the benefit of all families in Queensland. Let us safeguard the rights of our children and empower parents with the information they deserve. 

Children in Care Can't Wait: Urgent Child Protection Reform in Queensland

Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by stability. Yet too many children in Queensland's child protection system continue to experience repeated placement changes, trauma, and uncertainty while waiting for meaningful reform.

The Queensland Government's own Child Safety Inquiry has highlighted serious systemic failures within the child protection system. While commitments to reform have been announced, many of the proposed changes could take years to fully implement. Children currently in care cannot afford to wait.

This petition calls on the Queensland Government to act urgently by:

Prioritising children's safety and stability in every placement decision.
Ensuring each child receives an individual assessment before major placement changes are made, rather than applying broad system-wide decisions.
Increasing transparency and accountability in Child Safety decision-making.

Strengthening oversight of residential care and ensuring providers are held accountable for children's wellbeing.
Listening to the voices of children, families, carers, and frontline workers when decisions are made.
Protecting children's cultural identity, family connections, and human rights wherever it is safe to do so.
Bringing forward critical reforms identified by the Child Safety Inquiry instead of delaying action for years.
This petition is not about blaming the many dedicated Child Safety staff who work tirelessly every day. It is about recognising that the current system is under immense pressure and that children are paying the price.

I started this petition because I have witnessed firsthand how instability, uncertainty, and delayed action can affect children in care. While I will always protect my children's privacy, their experiences have shown me that the system must do better—not just for them, but for every child who depends on it.

Children in care have already experienced enough trauma. They should not have to wait years for the reforms designed to keep them safe.

Please stand with us. Sign this petition and help call for urgent action to build a child protection system that puts children's safety, stability, and best interests first.

Because children in care can't wait.